Rolling blackouts possible this week

Apart from discomfort, scorching temperatures could bring along inconvenience.

Rolling blackouts are "a possibility" throughout the week, as the utility companies could cut off power for 15 to 45 minutes at a time in different areas to avoid full-on blackouts, said CPS Energy spokesman Victor Robledo.

The heat’s to blame, because power plants must work harder to keep up with the energy demand.

“The amount of energy that’s being used is breaking records,” Robledo said. “The hotter it is outside, the longer your A.C. has to run and power plants are working very hard to keep up. Like anything, they need a break or breather also.”

CPS Energy recommends residents keep their thermostats no lower than 80 degrees and turn off appliances when away from home, especially during peak hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The high for Monday and Tuesday is expected at 101 degrees and predicted to drop off slightly as the week progresses, with Wednesday at 100 degrees, Thursday at 99 degrees and Friday at 98 degrees.

Should the outages become necessary, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas will give at least 15 minutes notice and CPS Energy will alert customers with online accounts via e-mail or cell phone.

Rolling blackouts, which affect the entire state, haven’t happened yet this summer but have come close, Robledo said. They were last implemented in February.

Apart from February, ERCOT has only used them two other times in the last 21 years as a last step in emergency procedures to prevent an uncontrolled statewide blackout, said the council's spokeswoman Dottie Roark.

Every house matters, Robledo added, and “if everyone does their part, we should get through this with no problem.”

“Conservation, conservation, conservation,” he said. “If we all just turn the thermostat up a little bit, it will be a little more uncomfortable, but a lot more bearable than not having power at all.”